The question Tuesday was whether Obama's momentum could help carry Murphy through.

Tedisco had an early advantage against newcomer Murphy. The district traditionally leans Republican, with about 70,000 more registered GOP voters.

Murphy emphasized his support for Obama's policies, including his massive economic stimulus package, which he says will bring jobs to New York.

Tedisco countered by linking Murphy's support of the Obama plan to the AIG executive bonuses scandal that has roiled the nation.

Democratic consultant John Del Cecato said the Obama factor clearly mattered. "Murphy touted his endorsement by Obama and ran on what the Obama economic plan meant to [the] district," he said.

Across the aisle, GOP consultant TomDoherty said Murphy did surely well, but "Tedisco held his own against a wealthy opponent in a state where Democrats have had a lot of political momentum in recent times."